Hammerheads open season at home with victory

Hammerheads Press Release

Wilmington, NC – The Wilmington Hammerheads enter the 2013 USL PRO regular season with a 2-0 victory versus Antigua Barracuda FC at Legion Stadium Friday night with a race to beat severe weather just nestling west of the Wilmington area.

Both the Hammerheads and Barracuda came onto the pitch strong with a week's worth of eagerness building up for the arrival of Friday night's match. Hammerheads defender Gareth Evans had a header attempt early on goal in the first half but went left of the goal post. Hammerheads newcomer Cory Elenio followed Evans' attempt just minutes later with a long shot from the right side, but was rejected by Barracuda goalkeeper James Molvin with the high save.

In the 34th minute, Hammerheads veteran Paul Nicholson tried to get a foot on the ball during shuffle in front of the goal, but was denied the chance when Antigua cleared it to the side. The Barracuda was close to scoring in the 37th minute when midfielder Tamorley Thomas shot a ground ball that went left of the net, followed by another attempt in the next minute that Hammerheads goalkeeper Philip Tuttle was shy of grabbing as it rolled the entire length of the goal only to go out of play.

Hammerheads and USL PRO rookie Kyle Greig took the honor of scoring the first goal of the season in the 49th minute perfectly placed between Molvin and the right post, assisted by midfielder Shawn Nicklaw. Greig followed his goal with another shot in the second half, hitting the crossbar hard deflecting it to the ground, allowing Antigua for position back down the fied.

Nicholson snagged his first goal of the season in the 69th minute, unassisted, after two attempts were taken by his fellow teammates in front of the Antigua net, both of which were deflected by Antigua goalkeeper Corey Whisenhunt.

Antigua's defense held on strong through the remainder of the second half as Hammerheads returning forward Steven Perry took at shot in the 80th minute after a great turn on Barracuda's defender Omarie Daniel.

The Wilmington Hammerheads travel to the West Coast next weekend to take on the Phoenix FC Wolves and the Los Angels Blues. Both matches will be aired via live broadcast on UNATION.

Players from the United States pose for the camera before the semifinal round of the women's hockey game against Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. (Matt Slocum/Pool Photo via AP)

Team USA won the first meeting between the neighboring nations at the 1998 Winter Olympics. The Canucks have won every other meeting.